European Journal of Psychological Studies, 2015, Vol.(5), Is. 1 4 Copyright © 2015 by Academic Publishing House Researcher Published in the Russian Federation European Journal of Psychological Studies Has been issued since 2014. ISSN: 2312-0363 E-ISSN: 2409-3297 Vol. 5, Is. 1, pp. 4-8, 2015 DOI: 10.13187/ejps.2015.5.4 www.ejournal12.com UDC 159 “Judging a эook by Its юover”х A Legal Psychological Review on Target’s Physical ьppearance and Legal яecisions 1 Nkansah Anakwah 2 Brenya Wiafe-Akenten 3 Jacob Owusu Sarfo 4 Feikoab Parimah 1 University of Ghana, Ghana Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities E-mail: anaben.afrique@hotmail.com 2 University of Ghana, Ghana Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities E-mail: wabrenya@ug.edu.gh 3 All Nations University College, Ghana Department of Nursing, School of Humanities and Sciences E-mail: sarfojo@yahoo.com 4 University of Ghana, Ghana Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities E-mail: feikoabparimah@yahoo.com Abstract More often than not, people automatically make guilty inferences from physical appearance despite little evidence for their accuracy. This has usually been extended to the criminal justice system. Wrongful convictions have therefore not been uncommon in our society and people who are culpable are sometimes exonerated. Sometimes it is not until innocent persons have finished their sentence or executed before their innocence is known. Research in legal psychology has thus, usually focused on physical characteristics and its impact on trustworthiness, and guilty decisions and severity of sentences. This paper systematically reviewed studies on the influence of physical characteristics on legal decisions so far. In addition, some recommendations have been proposed for further research based on gaps identified from our analysis. Keywords: Legal Decisions; Physical Appearance; Guilty; Offender; Victim; Suspect; Legal Psychology. Introduction Issues about ‗appearance versus the reality‘ seem to permeate various issues of human livesй These have been crucial in philosophical studies, legal system, political decisions, and even in the business world. For example, facial appearance predicts decision makings including decisions on whom to vote for during presidential and parliamentary elections (Todorov, Mandisodza, Goren, & Hall, 2005). This can have many implications on lifelong developments and socioeconomic growth.